Star-studded Nightclub & Bar Show kicks off with parties, parties and more parties

Singer CeeLo Green and Jon Taffer of "Bar Rescue" cut a ribbon to kick off the 2013 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

The parties have started for the nearly 40,000 delegates ahead of Tuesday’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the 29th Annual Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show.

With club and bar owners and operators descending en masse to Las Vegas, the group’s president, Jon Taffer, decreed that the celebrations should start with the first arrivals. So on Sunday night, there were early festivities downtown, a bash until 3 a.m. at Sapphire and Jon’s own welcome party at the Bank in Bellagio.

The “Bar Rescue” star will welcome delegates with opening remarks at the Las Vegas Convention Center and hosts a kickoff party with three-time Grammy winner Ludacris at the Bud Light Hotel, which has been transformed from our Hard Rock Hotel.

Jon also will lead a panel discussion of his reality-TV show makeovers titled “Where Are They Now?”

Other parties tonight are at the downtown Griffin, and actress, singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Christina Milian and DJ Carnage host at Marquee in the Cosmopolitan to promote her Platinum E Hookah brand.

On Tuesday, Jon hosts the official opening ceremony with comedian and keynote speaker Adam Carolla. They will be joined on the red carpet by new 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque entertainer Holly Madison and cast members of “Jersey Boys,” “Rock of Ages,” Jabbawockeez, Chippendales, “Counting Cars” and “Absinthe.”

Also on hand: our Mayor Carolyn Goodman with husband and former Mayor Oscar Goodman, NBA Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson, former NBA player Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams, members and founders of the International Bikini Model Search, Miss Las Vegas U.S. 2014 Lisa Song Sutton, “Captain Morgan,” musician Roger Clyne and BMX stars and TV personalities Ricardo Laguna and T.J. Lavin.

Vegas DeLuxe warmly welcomes all the Nightclub & Bar Show attendees, and on Tuesday, we’ll have our preview of the three-day convention ending Thursday. But knowing this crowd, they’re here from Sunday to Sunday. Have fun!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

BankThe interior delivers elegance, class and luxury with glamorous all-black décor, awe-inspiring crystal chandeliers and enough gold to wow even Donald Trump. Foam falls from the ceiling like snow every 20 minutes, silver trays of strawberries and chocolates are bestowed on lucky bottle service patrons, and the atmosphere feels positively charged with good music, beautiful people and overflowing opulence. By the end of the night, you may have put a dent in your personal bank account (the cover and drink price is on the steep side) but it will be worth it. Cover: $30, 2 cocktails: $30, partying like a rock star as you bathe in decadence and attention: undeniably priceless.
INDUSTRY SUNDAYS
The Bank’s Sunday night festivities attracts celebrities and locals-in-the-know every week as the high-energy experience features beautiful crowds, the hottest dance music being spun by resident DJ Karma and complimentary admission for locals.

3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., In the BellagioLas Vegas,
NV89109

702-693-8300

SapphireSapphire is located at 3025 Industrial Road (club number: 702.796.6000), directly behind the Echelon Development in Las Vegas. Sapphire bills itself as the largest Las Vegas Strip club, featuring 70,000 square feet of topless entertainment and serving the finest variety of cocktails, wines, champagne and cigars.
The strip club is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Call 702-303-3430 for complimentary limo transportation and no cover charge to Sapphire Las Vegas (a $30 value per guest). This includes holiday weekends, special events and promotional parties.
Sapphire features many private rooms and VIP areas to cater to any size event or bachelor and bachlorette parties.